Blogs from Oregon, United States, North America - page 101

June 24, Wednesday Packed up and on the road a bit late, with more chilly, showery weather. Geez, you'd think we were in the Pacific Northwest or something. We headed around the south end of Pudget Sound and over to US 101 just abeam Aberdeen WA. Beautiful riding, though average speed was around 45 mph due to traffic and numerous speed traps in each little town. We crossed the Columbia river into Oregon at Astoria, and found a cheap motel across the street from the river. We visited the local marina and gawked at the various sailboats. We also got a 1/4 mile ride on a trolley that was headed for the barn. Astoria is a cute little river town, and the marina is apparently the cheapest on the whole west coast. One slip owner told ... read more

Crazy how things happen, but I am finally acting on a deep desire to explore this fascinating, turbulent world. 12 months of curiosity starting August 6th. As a young American girl in the '70s, I stumbled upon a forgotten copy of 1001 Nights and came to idolize Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 - 1890), master of cultures, languages, expeditions. To this day, my mom has no idea how the book settled on our shelves. "Of the gladest moments in human life, methinks is the departure upon a distant journey to unknown lands." Fortuitously, it landed in my hands. So, I convinced my boyfriend to save his money(drink less beer), leave his job(seen our economy?) and make the mental switch to traveler/vagabond/nomad with his crazy girlfriend. Truly, the decision came from the Elephant cloud floating above one ... read more

ok. three weeks until i leave and right now i have an injured hand that i can not use. carrying my bags will be interesting because i only have one hand. people are gonna think i'm a freak with a fractured heel and hurt arm but it will give me something to talk about... read more

19th June, 2009. Gold Beach, Oregon. Up early this morning, had to be at the mail Boat Landing at 7.30am for check in. Today we went on a Jet boat ride 40 miles up the Rogue River. The Rogue River is 214 miles long and you can take a trip up the river, either 32, 40 or 52 miles. There are also 3 day rafting and canoeing trips. Miserable morning, they said it was mist, I say it was light rain and very overcast, never mind, bit of a delay and we set off in our rain coats and big tarps over our legs. First stop was to view the Bald Eagle who was perched up in a tree, then onto a river bank to observe another one. The river rises 168 ft from the point ... read more

17th June, 2009. Newport Beach, Oregon. Forgot to mention yesterday, that as you go down the Oregon Coast you see the Giant Redwood forests, yesterday we saw a few samples, they are big, will get some photos later on. Walking shoes on this morning, off for a walk, didn't get far, Craig found a great fishing tackle shop, bought Sam a surf casting rod and reel, so now she has to catch a fish, and a few bits and pieces for oneself, was tempted to go back again this arvo. Back to camp to unload and off for a walk through the fishing village again, heard Sammy the seal before we saw it, a great big Sea Lion, swimming along, past all those lovely smelly processing plants again, over the hill and up to the old ... read more